Our People in Tasmania
Scott Iskra - Scott keeps things orderly in Timor
GLENORCHY’S Scott Iskra is playing a key role on the ground to bring Australian Defence Force personnel and equipment back from Timor Leste.
Scott, 34, a Sergeant in the Air Force, initially deployed to the orderly room in Dili as part of the Australian Joint Task Force for Operation ASTUTE in November for the final days of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
The former Dominic College student and son of Glenorchy’s Anton and Nevi Iskra said his third deployment has been another fantastic experience and one that he will treasure for years to come.
“My primary role is to provide administration support as a subject matter expert and provide guidance and advice to personnel deployed to Timor Leste,” he said.
“The main role of my cell (Orderly Room) is to provide administration support to all personnel deployed to Operation ASTUTE including areas like pay, leave and travel.”
This is the third operational deployment for Sergeant Iskra who previously deployed to Iraq for Operation CATALYST (July 2005-06) and Operation SLIPPER in the Middle East (2010).
“Our presence over here in Timor Leste doesn’t get the attention it probably deserves but the work the ADF has done should not be forgotten,” he said.
“We can all be proud of the large part the ADF has played in helping establish an independent country that has strong foundations for future success.
“I have enjoyed the opportunity to experience a new culture and the knowledge that the role the ADF is performing is going to serve to benefit Timor Leste now and into the future.
Scott said he was also fortunate enough to be a participant in the ISF changeover parade as one of the medal bearers for the Chief of the Defence Force and Prime Minister of Timor Leste.
“I’ll also never forget the smiles on childrens’ faces when you approach them and the ‘thank you’ they say to us for being here to lend a hand. I must admit the other positive about being here is the warm weather!”
He will return home early in the New Year and can’t wait to see his wife Janet Thompson and children Emily (15) and Paige (9) and family dog “Rusky”.
“It’ll be nice to be home holding my wife and two daughters, spending time with them, have a coffee and being able to read the papers with my wife at home.
“My wife and I do everything together so being apart is hard but she understands my role and it makes it even more special when I get home.”
Scott is currently based at the Air Force Band at RAAF Base Williams in Laverton and joined the Air Force in 1995 because “I had a friend at the time join and I thought ‘let’s give that a go’.”
Timor Leste began an exciting new chapter in its history when the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) ceased security operations on 22 November.
After more than six years of supporting the Timor Leste security forces, the ISF role has changed to the redeployment of its people and equipment to Australia and New Zealand.
ISF troops started to depart Timor Leste in late November and bases will be remediated for handover by mid-2013.